Widows in Abyei are complaining that they are made to dress in black clothes for too long after their husband dies. A widow wears black for a year or more as a sign of mourning. They are being supported by some local chiefs, who say six months is enough.
Akuol Akuei Monjgon lost her husband last year. She said that having to wear black for a year had made her even more sad, and she was glad to have taken them off for the last time. Nyankoor Chol, an elderly woman living in Hai Makhazen in Agok, said a widow had to observe certain traditions. She had to cut her leather skirt shorter, and tie her stomach with a piece of cloth. Some time later, she had to take off all her jewellery.
One of the local chiefs in the traditional court in Juoljok, Deng Kuot Leeng, said mourning for a whole year should be the exception rather than the rule. Widows who mourned for two or three years were preventing themselves getting another husband and having more children, he said.
The Dinka Ngok paramount chief, Bulabek Deng Kuol, said there would be a meeting of all the elders in the community to discuss the matter.
Reporting by Abyei Today
File photo (Radio Tamazuj)